Alaska

Voters approved a measure that legalizes recreational marijuana use in Alaska. The state will create a marijuana control board to draft rules, within 9 months, on how marijuana businesses will operate. The bill passed with 52% of the vote and is expected to become law by February or March 2015. Read the ARTICLE.

California

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance requiring drug makers to set up programs for the disposal of expired and unused medications. The Board felt that the pharmaceutical companies should share the responsibility for the ‘impact, possible negative impacts, of their products.’ Read the ARTICLE.

Colorado

Tia Stakely, PDMP Administrator, has decided to explore other career opportunities. Assuming the role of administrator is Janina Rivera. We wish Tia continued success and we welcome Janina to the PDMP community.

District of Columbia

Voters approved a measure making the possession of less than 2 oz. of marijuana and up to 3 marijuana plants legal for personal use. However, the law will not take effect until it is reviewed by the U.S. Congress. It does not allow for the sale of marijuana, as that topic is left up to the D.C. Council. Read the ARTICLE.

Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has filed a civil suit against the manufacturers of OxyContin (Purdue Pharma). In the suit, Purdue Pharma is accused of Medicaid fraud, false advertising, creating a public nuisance, and unjust enrichment. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said that Purdue can avoid the trial by making a ‘very, very significant’ settlement offer. Read the ARTICLE.

Mississippi

Deb Brown is retiring from the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Dana Crenshaw will take over as the new PDMP Administrator. Deb will remain with the Board as a consultant during the transition period. We wish Deb a happy retirement and welcome Dana.

Missouri

The ACT Missouri group has published a fact sheet endorsing a bill to create a PDMP in Missouri. The flyer details the prescription drug abuse problem in Missouri and touts the benefits of PDMPs. View the FACT SHEET.

New Jersey

The New Jersey Attorney General has filed 50 disciplinary actions on registrants for indiscriminate prescribing or dispensing of controlled substances. The actions have resulted in the revocation or temporary suspension of 26 state controlled substance registrations. Read the PRESS RELEASE.

New York

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Rx STAT Program is a public health and public safety initiative analyzes government data on misuse and abuse. By analyzing that data in a timely fashion, they seek to identify emerging issues and reduce the incidence of overdose deaths. Their analysis has shown that opioid overdose rates were three times higher in Staten Island when compared to other parts of New York City. Read the ARTICLE.

Pennsylvania

The Governor signed a bill fully implementing his Healthy Pennsylvania plan. This bill establishes the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) database within the Department of Health. The previous PDMP tracked only Schedule II controlled substances and was housed at the Attorney General’s Office. Read the PRESS RELEASE.

Oregon

Voters approved, by a 54% to 46% margin, a measure legalizing recreational marijuana. The measure, which takes effect in July 2015, requires the liquor commission to license and regulate marijuana businesses to produce, process, wholesale, and sell marijuana. Read the ARTICLE.